Haven: Chronicles of Warshard (19 page)

CHAPTER 19

“
H
aven, may I speak with
you?”

Haven had just settled into her cot when Emeril approached. Ever vigilant, Blythe stepped forward, hand on the hilt of her
sword.

“I’m tired, Emeril,” the young queen sighed, sitting
up.

“I know,” he said. “You’ve been through a lot, but I just wanted to speak with you privately for a
moment.”

Haven shook her head. “I told you that will never happen
again.”

Emeril paused. They’d all seen the rags of Haven’s clothes, the cuts in the fabric, the marks that clearly were from wounds inflicted and not from the blood of others. Haven had insisted they be burned and forgotten. Emeril was the only one not ready to let it
go.

“I know,” he sighed. “But I want you to know that I’m sorry. What I did was unforgivable. But if you ever find it in your heart to speak with me again, I’ll be here for you. I’m sorry for what you had to go through alone. We’re all here for you
now.”

Her guards shifted uncomfortably. In this regard they
agreed.

“Thank you for your apology,” Haven said. “Please leave me
be.”

Emeril nodded and said his farewell before leaving further down the tunnel. Before they’d made camp, they moved further into the cold earth. The further they went, the more Haven shivered. She could feel sleep at the edge of her mind, but still she remained awake. Settling into her bed, Haven waited. Several minutes passed and she continued to wait, but sleep did not
come.

“Haven?” Lareina asked through the dark. “Are you
awake?”

Haven sighed.
“Yes.”

“When you’re ready, we’re here for you,” she
said.

“I
know.”

“All of us are. We’ll protect you no matter what the cost may be.” The notion stung at her heart. Though Haven wanted to protect her guards more than anything that protection had come with a price. It had come with her blood and bits of her innocence. If she hadn’t been so eager to protect everyone, would she have ended up in Kadia’s castle? Upon further reflection, she decided that she most likely would have. No one was to blame but Kadia in this
regard.

“And I will protect you all,” Haven whispered. “To my very end.” In the dark she heard Lareina’s breath catch. Haven turned towards her friend. She hoped she wasn’t crying. She couldn’t handle her friend crying for her. “Lareina, are you
alright?”

“Yes,” her friend
breathed.

“Then what is
it?”

Lareina swallowed audibly. “We almost lost you. I know it. Those tears in your clothes,” she sniffed. “They were inflicted. That on top of the painting and I can’t imagine what else,” she paused again to breathe, “we weren’t there for you when you needed us. We should have stormed that castle and taken you
ourselves.”

Haven couldn’t help the smile that pulled at her lips. “That would have been madness on par with the evil
queen’s.”

Lareina laughed through her tears. “You’re probably
right.”

“You should sleep,” Haven said. “We’ll have a long day ahead of
us.”

“Alright,” she said. “Good night,
Haven.”

“Good night,
Lareina.”

Haven awoke several times that night. Once she was shouting and another she nearly leaped from her bed. Her guards hushed her back to sleep, but after the third try, Haven remained wide-awake. Staring at the ceiling, flashes of paintings, stabbings and a man on top of her flew through her mind. She wondered if she’d ever sleep well after Kadia’s castle. Sighing, Haven rose from her bed and pulled the jacket Malka had brought for her from under her bed. She fastened it tightly, feeling the fur along its hood. The smell of it reminded her of
home.

Stepping quietly through the cavern Haven followed the dim light to the fire around the bend. She was surprised to find Corrin there, leaning forward thoughtfully with his back to her. She stood for a moment at the edge of the light, unsure if she wanted
company.

As if sensing her presence, Corrin
turned.

“Lady Queen,” he smiled, motioning for her to join him. Haven hesitated. “I don’t bite,” he
laughed.

Haven nodded and joined him, sitting as far away from him as she possibly could on their little rock bench. “You can’t sleep?” she
asked.

“My mind is too preoccupied for sleep,” he sighed. “More
nightmares?”

Heat rose to her cheeks. She had hoped no one besides her guards had heard her screaming. “Yes,” she admitted. “What occupies your mind tonight?” she asked, hoping to avoid talking about her
nightmares.

“Many
things.”

“Maybe if you discuss them you’ll be able to sleep,” she
suggested.

“Maybe if you talk about what happened to you, your nightmares will go away.” Corrin gave her a sly
smile.

Haven couldn’t help the smile that crept onto her own face. She had to admit, he had a point. “If you tell me what’s on your mind, maybe I’ll share what plagues my sleep,” she said, unsure if she’d actually be able to deliver on that
promise.

Corrin nodded and straightened in his seat. “That seems fair,” he said. It took him a moment to continue. Haven had a feeling he could be dismissing some of his worries and picking which ones he wanted to share. “Most of my thoughts are about you, Lady Haven,” he began. Heat rose to her face. “When they took you, I realized something about myself. I’ve spent a lot of time mourning the loss of one woman, so much so that I fear I might let a great one pass me by. I don’t know you well, Haven, but I truly want to.” He glanced at Haven, who stared at him in shock. “Watching Kadia take you away was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I regretted it the moment we were in the trees. I should have fought longer and harder for you. I should have protected you. You should never have gone to that
castle.”

“It’s not your fault Corrin,” she murmured, fixing her eyes on her hands. It was hard to look someone in the eye when they confessed such
feelings.

“It is and isn’t,” he sighed. “More should have been done, but sometimes these things are unavoidable. I’ve barely slept while you were gone. Which is why I’m surprised to still be awake now. I thought having you back would help me
rest.”

“I don’t think my being back is helping anyone,” Haven
said.

Corrin reached for her hand. Haven didn’t mean to, but she recoiled, abruptly standing and stepping away from him. “Don’t touch me,” she breathed. They both stared at each other in surprise for a moment. “I-I’m sorry,” she
stammered.

“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.” Corrin returned his hands to his
lap.

“No, it’s not you--” Haven struggled to find the words while also forcing back the water building in her eyes. “I just don’t want to be touched. I can’t be, not for a while at
least.”

Corrin looked at her, understanding dawning. “Okay, I promise I won’t until you’re
ready.”

After a few moments, Haven returned to her seat, clenching her fists to stop her hands from shaking. “Thank you,” she said. “So what did you realize about
yourself?”

Corrin smiled. “I realized that I want much, but only need a little. I make bad decisions and I let my feelings or fears get in the way of what’s right. I want to be more like you. I--” he paused, “I want to be with you,
Haven.”

Haven looked at him, unsure what to say. She hadn’t expected this confession, and yet it warmed the ice that layered her heart. He let his words sit with her for some time. She didn’t know what to say to such honesty. “I don’t think I can be with anyone, Corrin. Not now, and maybe not
ever.”

If Corrin was hurt, he didn’t show it. He only nodded. “I understand. But I’m counting on that maybe,” he smiled. “You’re worth waiting for,
Haven.”

“Am I?” she
asked.

“You’re much more special than you
realize.”

It was simply his choice of words that rattled her. Kadia’s words flowed back to her in waves. She called Haven special more times than she could count. Haven was her special little girl, her sister, her little queen. Haven shivered, forgetting all about their conversation. Seeming to sense the change in mood, and maybe even her drifting mind, Corrin turned to
her.

“What did she do to you in there, Haven?” he asked suddenly. “You haven’t been the same since you
returned.”

Haven knew this to be true. But how much could she really explain it to the young king? How Kadia had stabbed her, burned her, drowned her, and tortured her? How she’d pretended to be Kadia’s friend, while slowly losing her mind? How Kadia had stripped her bare, knocked her unconscious, and proceeded to paint her naked body? Or how, in the end, when Kadia saw what Haven truly wanted, she sent a man to rape her until she was with child. Haven slowly hugged herself, rocking back and forth, staring into the fire, orange licking at the air, colors dancing with the shadows. She shook her
head.

“Haven?” Corrin
asked.

The stab to the thigh, the burning poker pulled across her skin, the water rushing down her throat, the men pinning her down, ripping her clothes from her body – all because she was
special
.

“Haven?” Corrin
repeated.

The young king reached for her again. Haven nearly fell to the floor to get away, curling into a tight ball. “Don’t touch me,” she whispered over and over again. “Stop, please don’t.” She remembered that weight on top of her, the cold kisses left down her neck. She shivered violently. “Don’t touch me.” The way he groped her, touched her body in such indecent ways. “Please stop.” It was as if she was there again, feeling it all happen. What if it had gone further? What if he’d truly been able to fulfill his orders? How long would she have been defiled until Kadia was happy; days, weeks, months? How long would it have taken her to get her pregnant? Haven couldn’t bear the thought of bringing a child into that life, let alone leaving her son or daughter in Kadia’s
clutches.

“Haven!”

Corrin’s shout brought her back to herself. She gasped as if rising from cold water. “Corrin!” she said. She almost reached out for him, but the fear in her mind stopped
her.

“Haven, it’s me. It’s just me,” he said, moving as if he wanted to touch her, console her, but he remained at a safe distance. She appreciated that. “You’re okay, you’re not there anymore. You’re with your
friends.”

Haven slowly nodded, understanding coming back to her. She wasn’t in Kadia’s castle, she wasn’t raped, and she couldn’t be tortured anymore. “I’m okay. I’m here. I’ve survived
it.”

“Yes, yes you have.” Corrin looked at her with sad
eyes.

Haven breathed in and out steadily, her eyes slowly wandering the cave. The images fled her mind and she took in the dark stone, the fire, and Corrin’s handsome but worried face. “I’m here. I’m safe. I’m with you,” she let her legs slowly out of her embrace. “I’m safe,” she
repeated.

“What’s going on?” Blythe appeared around the
bend.

“Haven’s just had a bit of an episode,” Corrin said,
standing.

Blythe came to the queen’s side, but Corrin quickly motioned for her not to touch the queen. Haven rose, wiping the tears she hadn’t been aware of from her face. “I’m okay,” she said, taking a deep
breath.

“You should get back to bed,” Blythe
said.

Haven exchanged a look with Corrin, who nodded. “That is probably for the best,” he
agreed.

Nodding, Haven let Blythe lead her back to bed where she quickly fell into a dreamless
sleep.

CHAPTER 20

U
nderground it was impossible to tell the time of day. When the supposed morning came, Haven woke to gentle words from her friend. She was happy Lareina bent to wake her, speaking to her softly instead of poking or nudging her awake. She smiled at her friend and rose. In the dim light the small party readied for departure. They had a long journey ahead of them. Haven wanted to put as much distance between them and Kadia as
possible.

The tunnel began, cut from the earth, dark rocks surrounding them on all sides. The only light came from their torches until the terrain began to
change.

Proceeding with caution, one of the Wakefin guards led them into a new biome. Before them was something Haven had only seen in stories. The tunnel opened up into a huge cavern with soft sounds of its own; cawing in the distance, water dropping from the trees, and a dim light from an unknown source. The group emerged in a jungle. Its thick leaves and tall trees towered above them. Vines hung on all sides and ferns constantly blocked their path. But it was warm here, humid even. It was a welcome change from the freezing cold of the rock
tunnels.

“What is this place?” Blythe whispered at Haven’s
side.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered
back.

They continued forward, avoiding the small reptiles that scuttled past and occasionally dodging a large bug that flew by. The trees were lush and magnificent, like nothing she’d seen before in the six kingdoms. Compared to this forest Rythern was boring, barren of life. Every step they took, Haven heard and saw something new. Part of her wanted to remain in this jungle. She wanted to investigate how it remained here under the sea. It didn’t make sense to her mind; she was utterly mystified by
it.

Sometime later there was still no end to the jungle. Malka walked on a ridge just above, arrow at the ready. Though most of them had grown relaxed in this new territory, Malka had become ever wary. When Haven was sure it had to be at least high noon, Malka motioned for them to
stop.

“There’s something following us,” she
whispered.

Haven barely caught her words, but she quickly looked around. Her bliss over new findings was shattered. What replaced it was a familiar rising panic. Could Kadia have followed them down here? Or maybe her dark soldiers? Had she sent another assassin after them, or was it just the forest playing tricks on
Malka?

“What is it?” Corrin
asked.

“I’m not sure, but it’s not human,” she
replied.

Slowly, the party continued on their way. Though Haven had been at peace moments ago, she continued in worried silence. If it wasn’t human it could be the dark soldiers, but she had to pray it wasn’t. Glancing back and forth as they went, Haven kept one eye on her archer and the other on the trees. Malka moved almost soundlessly across the terrain, dropping in and out of sight on the ledge
above.

They were just heading through a particularly thick patch of vines when Malka’s voice echoed through the
chamber.

“Blythe get
down!”

Haven whipped in her friend’s direction, her sword already out of its sheath. What came leaping from the branches above was something familiar, yet something she’d never seen in the flesh. Haven pushed Blythe out of the way and its large body collided with her own. On top of her snarled a huge orange cat, at least twice the length of her body, maybe more. Its orange, black, and white fur bunched over its face, twisting around its snarling black lips. Yellow eyes glared into her own. Haven held the creature back with her sword held across both of her palms. She pushed up on its neck to keep its large fangs from snapping at her
face.

“Haven!” Blythe
called.

A moment later, the cat yowled and leaped away from Haven. Blood dripped over the leaves as it
went.

“Are you alright?” Blythe bent to help her
up.

Haven looked at her hand, and shook her head. She pulled herself up, dusting the dirt from her back. “I’m fine,” she
said.

“What were you doing then? Why did you push me out of the
way?”

Haven sighed and put her sword back into its sheath. “You know very well why I did
it.”

“You can’t be risking your life like
that!”

“I don’t risk my life when I do
things like that
! You do!” Haven snapped at her guard. She didn’t understand why, but anger filled her. She’d never been an angry person, and hardly ever raised her voice. This sudden burning inside her was startling, and violent. Haven tried to snuff it out; she didn’t like the feeling one bit. “I’m sorry,” she said. “But my life won’t be risked when I jump into situations like that. I could be hurt, yes, but I won’t be killed. You can be. I won’t let you risk your lives for me when I can do something about it. Everyone here should know that.” She looked them each in the eye. “Do not protect me if it means your life over
mine.”

Without awaiting a response, Haven pushed through the brush and continued on. Once the others regained their wits they caught up and fell into formation. Another archer joined Malka on the ridge. Together they were much more
vigilant.

When the next attack came the group leaped into battle at once. Swords drawn, they fought the beasts who prowled onto the
path.

“Yellow eyes in the trees!” Malka
called.

“Two behind!” the other archer confirmed. “At least one
ahead.”

Haven stood with her guard girls as another cat leaped from between the trees. Its large body knocked Blythe off her feet. Haven drove her sword through its side. The cat snarled and leaped at her next. Haven had enough sense to duck out of the way, just as a dagger flew for its shoulder. Haven stood to find Lareina watching her
back.

“Thank you,” she
breathed.

“Any time,” Lareina
smiled.

Haven and Blythe fought off the beast, while the others dealt with the threat from the
rear.

“Another from above!” Malka called to the
group.

While Blythe handled the wounded beast Haven turned in time to be knocked onto her back. The beast snapped at her shoulder, its teeth ripping through her jacket and down to her flesh. She cried out, trying to get her sword beneath the beast. With its large weight on top of her, she could hardly move. Memories of that man, Lord Merick, on top of her flooded into her mind. She struggled violently even as the claws of the beast dug into her arms. She struggled until the beast was dead on top of her, and she was pulled out from beneath it,
hyperventilating.

“It’s alright, Haven,” Lareina whispered. “You’re
alright.”

Haven reeled back from her touch, leaning back against the wall below the ridge. She took several deep breaths while the others gathered
around.

“You’re hurt,” Corrin stepped up beside
her.

“I’m fine,” she
breathed.

“You don’t look fine,” Emeril joined
them.

“It’s not the beast,” she shook her head, reminding herself again where she was. She wasn’t in Kadia’s castle, she was safe with her
friends.

“Then what is it?” Blythe joined them. Blood spattered her front, but it was clearly not her
own.

“Nothing.” Haven said, leaning away from the wall. “Let’s just keep
going.”

It took a moment, but they all seemed to understand what had happened and why Haven didn’t want to speak of it. They let it go and fell back into
line.

Moving through the jungle, they fell into a routine. Malka and the other archer above called out every oncoming assault, while simultaneously shooting the ones far away, and leading them through the brush to the other side of the forest. It was slow going, but after a few more attacks, they left with only minor
injuries.

“There’s a tunnel up ahead,” Malka called to the
group.

Haven had never been more relieved to hear those words. Though the jungle had been beautiful and filled with wonder at first, she’d grown quickly tired of the constant attacks. She yearned for the quiet of the cold dark stone tunnel they’d left behind. She found herself hoping for the same
ahead.

They made it to the tunnel without further delay. It was wider this time, and they could easily walk in a row of four or five if they wished. They remained in their solid formation, keeping the royals near the center for the most safety. Malka and the archer fell in behind them, keeping their bows ready as they watched the rear. A different soldier from Salander led, just as cautiously as the last. They moved slowly through the tunnel, the growls and yowls of the beasts they’d left behind echoing. When the sounds grew more distant then nearly inaudible, they could all finally breathe
easily.

“It seems we’re through the worst of it,” Lareina sighed. “I thought that jungle would never
end.”

“Neither did I,” Haven
agreed.

Though she listened to the chatter around her, something ahead had caught her attention. They’d been walking for some time through the dark, and with only the dim torches, it was hard to tell what lie ahead. The further they went, the more Haven realized what she was seeing wasn’t a trick of the eye. Far down the tunnel, a pink glow
emanated.

“What is that?” Corrin asked, as if echoing her
thoughts.

“I don’t know,” Haven
said.

“We should proceed carefully.” Blythe
said.

Haven didn’t need to check to see if Blythe had her hand on the hilt of her sword. The others did the same. Lareina even drew her long dagger. After the jungle, there was no telling what they were about to walk
into.

As the pink light grew brighter, the end of the tunnel became obvious. Soon they emerged onto a glass ledge. The stark contrast between the dark of the tunnel, and the sudden light before them was unbelievable – even more so than the jungle. A room of mirrors filled with glass and water stood before them. A pink glow shone from some areas, while a soft blue aura emanated from others. Ripples moved through the water. It was almost impossible to see the path with their reflections glaring back at
them.

“Where are we?” Haven asked, to no one in
particular.

No one answered her, for they all stared at the sight before them in utter shock. There seemed to be no way to pass, yet they had to get through
somehow.

“There.” They all looked at Malka and then followed the direction in which she
pointed.

At first Haven couldn’t tell what she was looking at. It just looked like more of the same. But the harder she stared, Haven began to realize there was a glass ledge leading up to a small tunnel. She couldn’t tell how far away it was, but it was their best
bet.

“Lead the way,” Haven
said.

Malka nodded and proceeded across the glass. Many areas were narrow, and the glass appeared thin. They continued single file, trying to make their way to the distant
ledge.

Sometime later, Malka stopped them. “We need to go through the water,” she said. “There’s no ledge to lead us over
there.”

Haven nodded, but a sinking feeling settled inside her. The water below was murky, though still pink and blue. It was impossible to tell what lay in wait. “Let’s go
then.”

Wading into the water Haven was surprised to find it quite warm. She held her sword above her head, and tried not to enjoy herself too much as she slipped down into the water. It reached almost to her shoulders. Her feet slipped along some sort of floor. They moved in silence for some time. After their encounter in the jungle, they were all on high alert. They needed to be ready if any creatures came barreling out of nowhere. But when time lapsed and nothing came, the group
relaxed.

“This is actually rather pleasant,” one of the guards laughed behind
them.

Haven smiled. “It’s nice to finally take a bath!” Lareina
agreed.

“I wonder if they have warm water like this in Seaburn,” another
said.

“If it’s as warm as they say, I’m sure the surrounding seas are like
lava!”

They all
laughed.

“What was that?” One of the Wakefin guards stopped, gazing through the water. They all stopped and looked back, their laughter dying out. “I felt something move by my leg, I swear
it.”

“Are you sure it’s not just your sheath?” His fellow soldier laughed beside
him.

The first soldier motioned to his sheathed sword over his shoulder. Both men blinked at each other then looked to their king for
direction.

“We should keep moving,” Corrin
said.

Haven nodded and Malka led the way. Several minutes passed before they stopped again. “I felt something too,” Emeril
said.

“So did I,” another soldier chimed
in.

Haven and Corrin exchanged a look. They were about to continue when a loud splash echoed through the cavern. The sound reverberated throughout, echoing over and over again. Haven turned quickly to see that Lareina was
gone.

“Lareina!” she cried, searching through the clouded
water.

“Stay back, Lady Queen.” Blythe stepped
forward.

They both looked through the water, moving further and further from the
group.

“What was that?” Haven turned back to find Malka staring at the water nearby. Ripples moved from the spot in which she
gazed.